With early voting starting, candidates for Bartlett aldermen seized the opportunity to talk about their credentials and their positions on issues.

If 2024 early voter turnout nears what it’s been for the past four presidential elections in Shelby County, the local ballot will be decided within the next two and a half weeks. 

Voters could bring back mayoral runoffs, approve a residency requirement for city candidates for office and give the City Council more control over salaries. 

Elections administrator Linda Phillips and the Election Commission are preparing for more voters, a longer ballot and new challenges for poll workers. 

Millington Alderman Larry Dagen and Cary Vaughn, chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party, are facing off for the seat.

Two candidates for Bartlett alderman are contending they are the target of unfair attacks, while not pointing an accusatory finger at each other.

In DeSoto County, 6,089 voters have requested absentee ballots. Of those requested, 5,146 ballots have been sent to voters, returned and accepted. 

Here’s how to find the three gun referendums on the Nov. 5 ballot and then translate the wordy language in which they are written.

Alderman Larry Dagen is leaning on his past experience after 12 years on the board. Cary Vaughn is promoting his relationships in the suburb and across the county.

The most popular election cycle in Shelby County politics moves into high gear Wednesday, Oct. 16, with the start of early voting ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day.

The two U.S. Senate candidates didn’t cross paths. They each told supporters turnout is important in an election each believes has high stakes. 

Collierville Board of Education Chairman Wright Cox is unopposed in the Nov. 5 election. He’s served on the school board since the district’s inception.

The Germantown Republican looks at past and future strides as he seeks another term in Congress in the November election.

Charles Green, Tom Bailey and Jeremy Smith are vying to complete Keri Blair’s unexpired Position 4 term on Collierville’s School Board.

The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 presidential general election is Monday, Oct. 7. Meanwhile, new voter registration numbers show Shelby County has seen an uptick in voters on the rolls.

Wanda Gibbs is facing a challenge from Rachelle Maier on Collierville’s Board of Education.

The TV show is a victim of uncertainty about whether filming it on a public school campus posed a problem. There were questions regarding whether it constituted campaigning on school property.

There is an early-voting day scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m to 12 p.m.

Vicki Gandee is facing Andy Ellis for the school board seat. It’s the only contested Germantown-specific race on the Nov. 5 ballot.

“These ballot questions are a fraud on the voters of Memphis,” General Jonathan Skrmetti said in a statement his office released about its decision to not challenge a court’s ruling allowing the gun-control referendum to continue.

Mayor Young says he still thinks the referendum is not the best approach, but told The Daily Memphian he understands the sentiment. Gov. Lee says the referendum is about finding a way to “circumvent the law.”

DeSoto County is about 31% Black, but none of the 25 current officeholders elected from districts provided by the 2022 plan are Black.

Three residents are vying for the open position on Collierville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The seat is held by Alderman John Worley who is not seeking reelection.

Tennessee’s abortion ban comes up in discussion of Memphis’ gun-control referendum; Sen. Blackburn uses old stats to talk crime, and remembering Jim Sasser, the former U.S. senator who was instrumental in bringing pandas to the zoo.

The gun referendum has stoked partisan enthusiasm on both sides of the aisle. JB Smiley Jr. and Jerri Green said the council won’t back down. Conservative talk radio has called the body’s moves a “gun grab.”